lol why is it easier to file my taxes than to get this PFL stuff sorted? 🤡 The whole system needs an overhaul

Quick question - does anyone know if you can apply for PFL retroactively? I've been caring for my mom for a few weeks already but just found out about this benefit.

I'm dealing with something very similar! Got SDI checks while on employer-paid leave and panicking about the same things. After reading all these responses, I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy AND use certified mail as backup. One thing I learned from my HR department - they said to make sure I document EVERYTHING because sometimes these situations can take months to fully resolve. I'm keeping a spreadsheet with dates, times of calls, reference numbers, etc. Also wanted to mention - if you have a union representative at work, they might be able to help navigate this too. Mine was actually the one who told me about the potential tax form issues @PrinceJoe mentioned. Hang in there! You're being super responsible by handling this proactively instead of just cashing the checks and hoping for the best like some people do.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just had my baby 3 weeks ago and realized I shouldn't have applied for SDI since my company provides full salary continuation. Reading through everyone's advice here is so helpful - it sounds like the consensus is to both mail the checks back AND get through to an actual EDD representative to document it in your file. I'm planning to try the early morning calling strategy tomorrow (calling at 7:55am before they officially open) and also looking into that Claimyr service several people mentioned. The idea of waiting months like @Brooklyn Knight did is terrifying, especially with a newborn! One question - for those who successfully returned checks, did you write "VOID" across the entire front of the check or just in a specific spot? I want to make sure I do this correctly. Also keeping my fingers crossed that the new parent exhaustion doesn't make me mess up any of the paperwork! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this confusing system.

As a fellow self-employed parent who just navigated this process, I wanted to add one more important detail that might help your planning: the benefit amount calculation uses your husband's "base period" earnings, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing. So if your baby arrives in March 2025 and he files then, they'll likely look at his earnings from Q3 2023 through Q2 2024. This is different from what some people mentioned about "18 months" - it's actually more specific than that. If he had a particularly strong quarter during that timeframe, it could really help his benefit calculation. Also wanted to mention that California recently expanded some protections for people taking family leave. While he can't work during his claimed PFL weeks, there are stronger job protection provisions now that might give him more confidence about taking the time he needs. One practical tip: consider having him batch all his 2024 invoicing and client communications before the baby arrives, so there's a clear "cutoff" point that makes the "no work during PFL" requirement easier to document if EDD ever audits. The process really is manageable once you understand the rules - sounds like you're already way ahead of the game with your planning! Your husband definitely deserves those bonding weeks after contributing to the system for 2 years.

Wow, this thread has been so incredibly helpful! As someone who's also navigating the self-employed parent benefits maze, I wanted to add one more resource that might help. I recently discovered that some local SCORE chapters (the small business mentoring organization) have volunteers who are familiar with CA EDD benefits for self-employed individuals. They offer free consultations and might be able to help your husband organize his documentation or even practice explaining his business structure before he calls EDD. Also, since your husband has been paying into SDI for 2 years, he might want to request a "wage and benefit statement" from EDD before the baby arrives. This will show exactly how much he's contributed and confirm his coverage - it's like a "benefits checkup" that could catch any issues early. One last thought on the intermittent leave approach: consider aligning his PFL weeks with natural breaks in his business cycle if possible. For example, if he typically has slower periods after holidays or during certain seasons, timing some of his leave during those periods could minimize the impact on client relationships. Congratulations again, and it sounds like you're going to be wonderfully prepared for this! Your husband is so lucky to have someone helping him navigate all these details ahead of time.

I work in tech and deal with these kinds of form validation issues all the time. One thing that often helps is making sure your entries match the exact character limits and formatting the system expects. Try entering your license number without any spaces or dashes, and for your name, stick to basic letters only (no accents, apostrophes, etc). Also, some government systems are really old and don't handle copy/paste well - try typing everything manually instead of copying from another document. If you have a Real ID, make sure you're using the format they expect for those vs. standard licenses. The system might be looking for specific data patterns that aren't obvious to users. Hang in there - these systems are frustrating but there's usually a specific combination that works!

I've been dealing with this same issue for weeks! One thing that finally worked for me was using Safari instead of Chrome - apparently some government sites work better with different browsers. Also, try entering your license info during off-peak hours like really early morning (5-6 AM). The system seems less glitchy when fewer people are using it. I know it sounds weird but I swear it made a difference! If you're still stuck, you can also try calling the technical support line - they have a separate number just for website issues that's different from the regular claims line. The wait isn't as bad either. Keep at it, you'll get through eventually! 💪

I'm really sorry you're going through this stressful situation while caring for your mom. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you have some excellent actionable steps to take tomorrow. One thing I wanted to add that I learned when helping my aunt navigate similar issues - if you do end up needing to go the emergency conservatorship route, some counties have expedited processes specifically for terminal illness situations. When you call the probate court's self-help center (as Carmen suggested), make sure to emphasize that this is for a hospice patient with limited time. They often have special procedures that can fast-track these cases. Also, I noticed you mentioned having trouble reaching EDD by phone. In addition to the calling strategies others shared, try calling different regional offices if the main number isn't working. Sometimes the Fresno or San Bernardino offices have shorter wait times than the main Sacramento line, and they can all access your claim information. You're being such a devoted caregiver to your mom during this difficult time. Don't let the bureaucratic obstacles discourage you - there are people and systems in place to help, even if they're not easy to find initially. Wishing you success with all these leads tomorrow.

I'm heartbroken reading about what you're going through with your mom. This situation is incredibly stressful when you're already dealing with such an emotional time. From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like you have several really solid options to pursue tomorrow morning: 1. The DE2501FC-PC form that Carmen mentioned seems like it could be your fastest solution since it's specifically designed for terminal illness situations 2. Contacting your mom's hospice patient advocate or social worker - they likely handle these benefit issues regularly and may have direct EDD contacts 3. The Public Guardian's office emergency authorization process that Maya detailed sounds very promising I'd recommend starting with the hospice team first thing in the morning since they're already involved in your mom's care and probably have the fastest turnaround on paperwork. Then tackle the EDD calls using the disability insurance line number Maya provided. You mentioned feeling desperate, but honestly, after reading all these responses, it sounds like there are multiple viable paths forward that people have successfully used in very similar situations. The system is frustrating and poorly designed, but you're not stuck. Take care of yourself too during this process - caregiving is exhausting even without bureaucratic nightmares added on top. Your mom is fortunate to have someone fighting so hard for her during this difficult time.